Kim Basinger wins custody battle

Actress Kim Basinger is celebrating after winning the latest round of her custody battle with her ex-husband Alec Baldwin.

Basinger was in court in Los Angeles earlier last week, for a hearing into the former couple's custody spat over their 11 year old daughter, Ireland, which was stirred up thanks to a leaked answer machine message, during which an angry Baldwin called the 11-year-old a "rude, thoughtless little pig."

Baldwin's custody rights were suspended as a result of the answer phone message, but are expected to be re-instated in the court hearing, which was held behind closed doors.

The actor was not present in court.

However, Kim Basinger's attorney, Neal Hersh, revealed the judge overseeing the case ruled in her favour.

Outside of the court, the attorney told reporters, "We are very, very pleased that the judge took an entire day to deal with the very, very important issue and give it a lot of thought and deliberation and effort.

"We are very, very pleased with the judge's thoughtful decision and fully support what she did here today."

Hersh would offer no further details of what was discussed and agreed in court.

The couple's messy custody battle gave family activists the chance to protest outside the courthouse. Groups supporting both stars and waving placards and banners, clashed as the hearing went on inside, WENN reported.